Adams County

Evolution of county from date of formation until it assumed its final form10 Jul 1797: Erected and organized20 Aug 1798: Diminished by formation of Ross1 Sep 1798: Part of Hamilton attached1 May 1803: Diminished by formation of Scioto1 May 1805: Diminished by formation of Highland1 Feb 1815: Diminished by formation of Pike1 Mar 1817: Diminished by formation of Brown

Adams was the first county formed in the Virginia Military District of Ohio, and was the third formed in the state. Adams lost land to Brown, Highland, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Gallia counties.

The original county seat was located in Manchester but there were no court facilities. The first official county seat was located in Adamsville in 1798. In 1804 the county seat was removed to West Union. A courthouse fire in 1910 did not destroy all the records. Some of those saved date back as early as 1796.